Canadian director Kim Nguyen on his Oscar nomination for War Witch (Rebelle): ‘We’re clearly the underdog’

Oscars 2013: Canada on the ballow with nominee War Witch (Rebelle

For the third year in a row, a Canadian film – to be specific, a Quebec film – has earned a coveted spot in the Oscars’ list of best foreign-language nominees. Kim Nguyen’s War Witch (released in French as Rebelle) is competing against films from Austria (Amour), Chile (No), Denmark (A Royal Affair) and Norway (Kon-Tiki) for the prize, to be handed out Feb. 24.

A giddy Nguyen and producers Pierre Even and Marie-Claude Poulin took part in a conference call with journalists on Thursday morning after the announcement was made. “Astonished, dumbfounded and ecstatic” was how Even described himself, especially when he heard Chile named, and assumed that the list was alphabetical and that Canada had not made the cut.

He was also amused and happy that the announcement, scheduled for 8:30 a.m., was a few minutes late, as Nguyen was stuck in Montreal traffic. “We thought the Oscars were delayed five minutes just for Kim.”

‘People around the world are looking at Quebec cinema now and waiting for the next director to come out of here. This has a tremendous impact on a country’s recognition outside of its borders. It’s not just about money’

War Witch tells the story of a young girl (Rachel Mwanza) growing up in war-torn Africa. “A portrait of 21st-century sub-Saharan African hadn’t been made yet, with all its paradoxes and idiosyncrasies,” Nguyen said about his film, which he also wrote. His goal was “to not just make an educational movie about child soldiers; it’s also a love story and it’s also a story about resilience. It creates a great irony, I find.”

This year’s foreign-language film to beat is Michael Haneke’s Amour, which is also nominated for best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best actress, for Emmanuelle Riva. Amour won the Palme d’Or when it premiered in Cannes last May, although War Witch won the best-actress prize in Berlin, and the best actress and best world narrative prizes at New York’s Tribeca festival.

Nguyen was sanguine about his film’s chances at the Oscars. “We’re clearly the underdog in all of this in regards to Haneke; he has such a legacy,” he said. “The fact that he’s nominated [for best picture and best foreign-language film] could be to our advantage, but who knows? Maybe he’ll win both.”

Neither last year’s Monsieur Lazhar by Philippe Falardeau nor the previous year’s Incendies by Denis Villeneuve won the Oscar. Canada’s only win in the category was for Denys Arcand’s Barbarian Invasions in 2003. But Nguyen said the nomination brings its own rewards.

“People around the world are looking at Quebec cinema now and waiting for the next director to come out of here. This has a tremendous impact on a country’s recognition outside of its borders. It’s not just about money.”

Nguyen said he had already been in touch with Falardeau and Villeneuve when War Witch made the foreign-language shortlist in December. “They told me it was going to be mad, and to try to get people to help you arrange your life here in Montreal until the 24th.”

He added that all three were friends. “They are real gentlemen, both of them. They don’t have jealousy over the respect of their colleagues.” Checking his email, he noted that Falardeau had already sent congratulations on the nomination. “I think I like Philippe better than Denis,” he laughed. Then, just to be clear: “I’m kidding!”

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.